SUPPLEMENTARY READING

Read the dialogues and describe the rooms mentioned in them.

Ann has no taste

Jane: Ann has no taste at all. Her room is simply awful.

Bob: Awful? Why? What’s wrong with it? What is it like?

Jane: It’s rather small. There is a big table in the middle. There’s always some food on the table and a big old suitcase under it. There’s a long narrow bed by the window and there are some old chairs between the bed and the table. There are also some awful pictures on the walls. The one over the bed is simply shocking. And the lamp! Well… I wouldn’t like to comment on that.

Bob: Is she very poor?

Jane: No, she isn’t. She’s quite well off.

Bob: Then why is she living in a room like that?

Jane: She has no taste, poor dear.

Bob: She’s very much like my aunt Flora. She has a lot of money, but she’s very unwilling to spend it.

Renting a Room

A: Have you a room to let?

B: Yes, sir. What room do you want? A double - bedded room or a single?

A: I want a furnished living room on the ground floor with boarding and attendance.

B: How long will you require it?

A: I intend to stay about two months. Will you show me what rooms you have?

B: Certainly. Will you come this way, please?

A: I like the room. It’s tidy and comfortable.

B: The room is furnished and carpeted all over as you see. Here is a wardrobe where you can hang your clothes.

A: I need a desk to work at. And I‘d like to have my boots cleaned every morning.

B: Yes, sir.

A: And my breakfast must be ready at eight sharp. What will the price be, including full board and attendance?

B: How will you take the room, by the week or by the month?

A: Does it make difference?

B: It does, sir. If you take it for two months, you can have it for 60 pounds at month. If you take it by the week, you’ll be charged much more, sir.

A: All right. I’ll take it for two months. By the way, where does this door lead?

B: To the street, sir.

Note:

to require – (зд) требовать (- ся), нуждаться

A House for Sale

A: Bob, I’m sick and tired of the city.

B: If you want to live in a village, let’s call a real state agent.

A: I’ve talked to one of these. A mile out of the village Scully Downs there is a wooden house for sale.

B: Oh, I know that house. An excellent example of early 19-th century architecture! I’m delighted with it!

A: You know, I share your interests in the last century architecture. But the point is, that it is in very good condition.

B: Yet, there may be problems with water supply, electricity and other community services.

A: The agent said that some of the rooms are redecorated. The former owner was an architect.

B: We can redecorate the house after all.

A: It’s very romantic to have dinner by candlelight! Great pleasure!

B: Candles go out soon. I’m afraid; we’ll have to feel our way about the house using a lantern.

A: Indeed, there will be a lot of things to do. Getting settled in a new place is not something one can do in a week. It’s very exciting anyway, isn’t it?

B: Don’t let your imagination run away with you. Perhaps, we’ll miss human company.

A: If we feel the need of company, we can get acquainted with the neighbours.

B: Remember, the nearest neighbours are a mile away.

A: Then they will be glad to meet us too, I’m sure.

Buying a House

Ann: Hi, Bess. This is Ann. How are you?

Bess: Fine, thank you. Where have you been?

Ann: Oh, I’ve bought a house. I’ve been dreaming about it all my life.

Bess: Congratulations! I think, it’s wonderful to live in your own house.

Ann: Yes, it is. But buying a new house, you get a lot of problems.

Bess: What do you mean? Your house doesn’t need repairing, does it?

Ann: No, it doesn’t. But I need to repaper the walls and to furnish the house.

Bess: Are you going to do it yourself or will you invite a designer?

Ann: I’d like to invite a designer, but I’m afraid, I can’t afford it now.

Bess: How much did the house cost? You must have paid a pretty penny.

Ann: Yes, I have. You are right. That’s the problem. I had no enough money to pay for the house at once.

Bess: How did you manage to buy the house then?

Ann: I had to go to a building society.

Bess: What is it? Is it a bank?

Ann: Kind of. This society lends money to those who want to buy a house or a flat. I took a mortgage which amounts to 90 per cent of the selling price of the house. Of course, for 25 years because of the interest rate I’ll pay relatively small sums of money a month and at least I can afford it.

Bess: Oh, that’s wonderful. I’d like to buy a house of my own too!

SUPPLEMENTARY READING

A Few Facts

Most British people obtain their home in one of three ways. The majority, about two – thirds, buy their own houses or flats. About 10 per cent of the population live in flats or houses which they rent privately from another person or organization. The majority of the remaining 25 per cent live in accommodations that are owned by, and rented from their local council. Council houses ( or flats ), as these called, are available to everyone, but in many areas there are long waiting lists, and the homes go to the most needy people. In the past few years it has become possible for council house tenants to buy their property from the local authority at a fairly cheap price – this is determined by taking into account how much rent the person has paid to the council over the years.

Homes in Britain are relatively expensive, although prices vary from area to area. They are most expensive in the London area and cheapest in northern England, parts of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

(From “Англия” magazine)

Render the above text “A Few Facts” in English.

The Doll’s House

(abridged)

By K. Mansfield

There stood the doll’s hose, a dark, oily green, picked out with bright yellow. Its two solid little chimneys glued on to the roof, were painted red and white, and the door gleaming with yellow varnish, was like a little slab of toffee. Four windows, real windows, were divided into panes by a broad streak of green. There was actually a tiny porch, too, painted yellow, with big lumps of congealed paint hanging along the edge.

The Burnell children had never seen anything like it in their lives. All the rooms were papered. There were pictures on the walls, painted on the paper complete with gold frames. Red carpet covered all the floors except the kitchen; red plush chairs in the drawing- room, green in the dining- room; tables, beds with real bed clothes, a cradle, a stove, a dresser with tiny plates and one big jug. But what Kezia liked more than anything was the lamp. It stood in the middle of the dining-room table, an exquisite little lamp with a white globe. It was even filled all ready for lighting, though of course, you couldn’t light it.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 1917